Austin Videotapes Are Screened For Clues In Baby Death

State police are continuing to screen the videotapes taken from James Austin's home, but so far have not found any child pornography, the Northampton County district attorney said.

District Attorney John Morganelli said he ordered the search of the Austin home Friday in an effort to find evidence of a motive in the crime and any children's issues, sexual or otherwise. Child pornography is illegal, he said.

Austin is accused of beating to death the child he paid $30,000 to have through a surrogate mother. He remains in Northampton County Prison under $500,000 bail waiting for a preliminary hearing Monday on an open homicide charge.

Five-week-old Jonathan Alan Huddleston died Jan. 17, at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, several days after his surrogate mother, Phyllis Ann Huddleston, 29, of Lafayette, Ind., took him off life support when his health appeared to improve.

Police took 28 videotapes Friday from the dining room table of Austin's condominium in Hanover Township, Northampton County. Of them, 16 were apparently pornographic, with titles like "Guys Who Do," and "Locker Room Fever," police said. Five videotapes were unlabeled.

"I will not characterize the videotapes," said Morganelli. "Their titles speak for themselves."

Magazine titles of "Playguy," "Olympus" and "Honcho" were among the eight confiscated, police said. Police also took two jars of lubricant.

Twelve books on parenting and infants were also found in the Austin home. The book "The New Joy of Gay Sex" was also taken.

Morganelli said state police are still gathering information, including the autopsy report from the Philadelphia medical examiner's office, in preparation for Monday's preliminary hearing before District Justice Barbara Schlegel.